Oil-fuse device



Jan. 29 1924. 1,482,131

G. M. GRIFFITH OIL FUSE DEVICE Filed Dec. 5. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 29 1924. 1,482,131

G. M. GRIFFITH OIL FUSE DEVICE Filed Dec. 5, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 29, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,482,131 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE M. GRIFFITH, 01? DALLAS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO NORTON T. LANCASTER, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

OIL-FUSE DEVICE.

Application filed December 5, 1921.

T 0 all who-m it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. GRIFFITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oil-Fuse Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in oil fuse devices for high potential circuits.

It is understood that in the oil fuse de vices commonly used, it is necessary to remove the fuse carrying member from the oil containing receptacle in order to replace a damaged fuse. In damp or rainy weather it is difficult to prevent moisture from adhering to the member and when the latter is replaced in the receptacle, the moisture materially reduces the insulating qualities of the oil. Moreover, the removing and replacing of the fuse carrying member of the commonly used oil fuse devices is a hazardous operation, whereby the operator is frequently injured. When .replacing the member, 1t is usually necessary to insert the same thru an aperture in the top of the device, and as one side of the circuit is usually grounded on the casing, it is evident that should the said member contact with the casing a short circuit would occur whereby the current would be conducted over the member to the operator.

A further objection to the commonly used oil fuse devices is that it is necessary to mount them in the lower portion of a manhole, in order to protect as well as ossible the fuse carrying member and ot er internal parts from moisture and other foreign matter when replacing a damaged fuse.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide an oil fuse device for high potential circuits, said device having means whereby the fuse may be removed or replaced without exposing any of the internal parts of the device to the weather.

Another object is to provide a device in which the contacts of the fuse carryin memher are always in alinement with t e stationary contacts of the circuit, thus lessening the dangers of short circuits and promoting safet An hther object is to provide means for expeditiously operating the fuse carrying member whereby the circuit may be opened or closed with safety to the operator.

Serial No. 520,140.

A further object is to provide a device that may be mounted on the upper side wall of a manhole or in any other desirable place, thus making for economy of space and convenience of operation.

A articular feature of the invention resides in the provision of a cartridge fuse, the jacket of which is perforated to admit insulating oil to the fuse, whereby any are that may occur from the separation of the fuse will be instantly extinguished. 1

Another feature resides in a cap which covers the neck of a device embodying the invention, the said cap shielding the opening in the neck from moisture, and yet having means whereby any gas that might form on the oil may be emitted.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of an oil fuse" device constructed in accordance with the invention, f

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, r

Fig. 3 is a similar view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing a back elevation of a door which closes an opening in the front wall of the device,

Fig. 4 is a detail taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2, showing in plan the guideway provided for the vertically adjustable rack carrying the fuse, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation of a 'fuse embodying the. invention showing perforations in the jacket thereof for admitting oil.

In the drawings the numerals 10 designates a vertical rectangular casing, the lower portion of which provides a receptacle for containing insulating oil. The casing comprises a removable head 11 which is reduced to provide a neck 12. The head is fastened on the body of the casing by means of suitable screws 13 which clamp together corresponding cars 14 of the head and body- A screw threaded cap 15 covers the opening of the neck, the crown of said cap being extended and merged into a depending annular apron 16. The apron depends below the bottom of the cap and its lower edge is curved inwardly. The cap is pr vided with a plurality of radially extended ports 17 which communicates with the space 18 between the cap and the apron. lit will be readily seen that the cap provides a posi-- tive shield from moisture, while the ports 17 provide outlets for gases that might form on the oil.

A relatively large opening 19 is provided in the upperportion of the front wall of the casing and is closed by means of a door 20. It will be seen that the door is suitably hinged at its upper edge to the outside of the casing, and the marginal portion of the door overlaps the marginal portion of the casing surrounding the said opening. A suitable fastening means 21 is provided to hold the door in frictional engagement with the casing when the door is closed, whereby a water tight closure is had.

Disposed centrally on the floor of the easing and between the front and back walls thereof, is an elongatedinsulatingstrip 22 which is preferably formed of porcelain but may be made of any other suitable nonconducting material. Mounted transversely and centrally of the strip is a cross bar 23, suitably secured to the top of which and at each end thereof is a stationary contact 9.4L. The cross bar and strip are secured in place to the floor of the. casing by means of a screw 25, but as is obvious any other suitable means may be employed for this purpose.

Connected to the contacts 24 are the high voltage wires of the circuit. The said wires enter the opposite side walls of the casing thru outwardly and downwardly projecting ducts 26. As is pointed out in the drawings, the ducts are cast on the upper rear portion of the side walls of the casing. l he mouths of the ducts are screw threaded so as to receive porcelain sleeves 27 thru which the wires are passed. The wires are suitably insulated from the ducts by means of compound or other non-conductor 28.

A member 29 forming a vertical guideway for a rack bar 30 is cast with the head 11 and neck 12 as is best shown in Fig. 2, the said member is cast so that the smooth side of the rack bar is immediately opposite the opening l9, the purpose for which will presently be more fully set forth. l t will be seen in Fig. 4t, that the rack bar has flanges 31 which engage in the guideway and thereby slidably secure the said bar in place. A pinion 32 is mounted on a transverse shaft 33 and adapted to mesh with the rack bar.

The shaftis supported in suitable bearings 34: in the head 11, one end of the shaft extending thru the head and being provided with a suitable operating wheel 35 or handle.

The lower end of the rack bar carries a cross head 36 which may he made of an suitable insulating material. Gontacts 3 anteater.

are suitably secured to the underside of the cross head at each end thereof. The con tacts comprise a depending blade 38 adapted to engage between the contacts as on the cross bar 23. Each contact 37 also comprises a pair of forwardly directed spring clips 39 adapted to receive a contact blade all of a cartridge fuse 4-1 which is best shown in Fig. 5.

lit will be readily seen that about one revolution of the operating wheel 35 will drive the rack bar upwardly into the neck 12 so as to bring the cross head and fuse immediately behind the opening 19. By opening the door 20, it is evident that the old or damaged fuse may be removed and a new fuse inserted in its-place. ft is pointed out that this operation may be perfromed without exposing any of the internal parts of the device to the weather, thus eliminating danger of getting moisture in the insulating oil in times of damp and rainy Weather. ft is further pointed out that such operation may be performed with safety to the operator as the circuit is insulated from the casing of the device at all times.

It will be readily seen that by turning the operating wheel 35 in a reverse direction the raclr bar will be driven downwardly, whereby the blades 38 engage between the contacts 2t and close the circuit. It is pointed out that the said blades are always in alinement with the contacts 24, whereby a proper connection is'assured.

The jacket of the fuse 41 is perforated so as to admit oil to the fuse when submerged. llt will be readily seen that the oil thus admitted will act to instantly extinguish any are that may occur as a result of separation of the fuse. Although it is preferable to use the desired type of fuse, it is to be understood that any other desirable type may be used in a device embodying the invention.

It is obvious that the rack bar 30 may be made wholly or partly of specially treated wood or of any other non-conducting material if desired.

An aperture is provided in the floor of the casing and closed by means of a screw threaded plug 4-2. It is evident that when it is desired to drain the device, the plug may be removed thus permitting the oil to pass out thru the aperture.

Suitable brackets 43 may be cast on the casing for supporting, the device in a desirable location. It is pointed out that a device embodying the invention is adapted to be mounted vertically in any desirable location. Such a device may be mounted near the top of a manhole or in any other location to afford convenience, as it is evident that the internal parts are protected from moisture at all times.

Various changes in the size and shape of the difierent parts, as well as modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In an oil fuse device, a casing, said casing havin a removable head, the lower portion of t e casing formin a well for containing a non-conducting iuid, a door provided in the upper side of the casing, stationary contacts disposed in spaced relation in the bottom of the casing and insulated from the casing, means for admitting the conductors of a clrcuit, the said contacts adapted to be connected with the said conductors, a rack bar adapted to slide vertically, a cross head carried by the rack bar, contacts carried by the cross head and adapted to engage the stationary contacts, the contacts of the cross head having means for receiving and supporting an electrical fuse, a rotatable shaft extending transversely of the head and thru the same, a pinion mounted on the shaft and adapted to mesh with the rack bar, and means onthe outer end of the shaft for rotating the same, whereby the rack bar may be reciprocated to bring the cross head into registration with the door or to close the circuit.

2. In an oil fuse device, a casing adapted to contain a non-conducting fluid in its lower portion, said casing having head, a reduced neck extending upwardly from the head, a cap covering the mouth of said neck, a, door in the upper side of the casing, ducts projecting outwardly from the casin for admitting the conductors of a circuit, stationary contacts disposed in spaced relation in the bottom of the casing and insulated from the casing, a vertically slidable member carrying contacts adapted to engage the stationary contacts and having means for receiving and supporting an a removable.

electrical fuse, and means for reciprocating the said member whereby the circuit may be opened or closed.

In testimony whereof I aflix m si ature.

' GEORGE M. GR F TH. 

